Explore the ROAD

Doug Parker

5.0 (1)
NATURE
UPDATED MONTHLY

This podcast is about the people who go where most won’t. From dense jungles to open oceans, I sit down with adventurers, filmmakers, divers, composers, and explorers to talk about what draws them to the wild places of the world and the stories they bring back!

FEB 11

012 - Beneath the Surface: Sharks, Storytelling & Ocean Filmmaking with Mae Dorricott

In this episode, we dive deep with underwater storyteller and filmmaker Mae Doricott to explore what life is really like beneath the surface. From swimming face-to-face with bull sharks and dolphins, to enduring six hours underwater, Mae shares the thrill, the mindset, and the wonder of working in the ocean’s wildest environments. We also go behind the scenes of the incredible David Attenborough film Ocean, revealing what it takes to capture breathtaking moments that most people will never experience firsthand. It’s a conversation about adventure, resilience, and the powerful stories hidden beneath the waves.

1h 5m
FEB 4

011 - You Paid for This: The Dark Truth About Wildlife Tourism with Aaron Gekoski

In this episode, I am speaking ing with Aaron Gekoski, an award-winning photojournalist who has spent decades investigating the global wildlife tourism industry all over the world. From captive animal attractions to staged “sanctuaries,” Aaron shares firsthand experiences documenting how animals are captured, controlled, and used for profit in some of the most sinister ways, often under the guise of education or conservation. We discuss the ethical cost of wildlife entertainment, the realities tourists rarely see, and how good intentions can still cause serious harm. There are some tough topics in here ranging from loss of human life to leopards, death of animals from poaching, as well as human trafficking, all linked to the darker side of this industry. This is an essential conversation about responsibility, transparency, and the real impact of wildlife tourism, but viewer discretion is advised.

57 min
JAN 28

010 - The Power of Sound, scoring the emotion with Jasha Klebe

In this episode of Explore the Road, I sit down with composer Jasha Klebe for a deep dive into the world of film and media scoring. From his journey into becoming a composer to the creative process behind crafting emotionally powerful, story-driven music, Jasha breaks down how sound shapes what we feel on screen. We also talk about what it’s like working alongside legendary composer Hans Zimmer, the intense pressures of scoring major productions, and the projects he’s most proud of. Packed with insight, honesty, and behind-the-scenes stories, this episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about film, music, and creative careers.

50 min
JAN 21

009 - The Search for the White Wolf with Amit Eshel

In this episode, I sit down with award-winning photographer Amit Eshel to talk about searching for one of the rarest animals on our planet: the Arctic wolf. These wolves live in one of the most hauntingly beautiful and brutally unforgiving environments on Earth, the frozen wilderness of Ellesmere Island. We dive into the insane logistics of reaching this remote corner of the High Arctic, the trials and tribulations of working in extreme sub-zero temperatures, and what it’s really like to come face to face with a wild wolf in the middle of nowhere. We also explore some of Amit’s favourite projects and images, from brown bears and pumas to Nubian ibex, including how he uses research, floating photography hides, and long-term fieldwork to tell powerful wildlife stories. Welcome back to the Explore the Road Podcast ... let’s go north!

1 hr
JAN 13

008 - Secrets of Sloths - Life in the slow lane with Dr. Rebecca Cliffe

What does it take to become the world’s leading expert on one of the planet’s slowest animals? In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Rebecca Cliffe, a world authority on sloths, to uncover the surprising science behind these misunderstood and adorable creatures. Rebecca shares how she became a sloth scientist, what a typical day in the life of a sloth researcher really looks like, and why being slow is actually a powerful survival strategy. We explore the remarkable adaptations that allow sloths to thrive in the canopy, the habitats they call home, where in the world you can find them, and the almost superhero-like abilities that make them far more impressive than their laid-back reputation suggests. If you think sloths are simple, sleepy animals...think again! If you are inspired by Rebeccas efforts to protect sloths in Costa Rica and want to donate to her cause, follow this link and see how you might be able to help https://www.slothconservation.org/?gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAC7DcbWjAIC8Gt1JJJp0IERl66zZH

38 min
JAN 7

007 - Life in the Jungle - Filming the worlds rarest primates with Max Kölbl

Max Kölbl is a wildlife cameraman who has filmed extraordinary animal behaviour all over the world. In this episode, Max talks about how he broke into the world of wildlife filmmaking, why he finds primates so fascinating, and what it’s really like to be suspended 48 metres above the rainforest canopy to film one of the world’s rarest primates — the bonobo. Max and Will also share their experiences of living and working in the dense jungles of the Congo Basin, along with the life lessons they learned along the way.

1 hr
09/25/2024

006 - Stories of whale encounters across the world with Patrick Dykstra - Part 2

In this episode I am following on with the first part of my conversation with Patrick Dykstra, a marine mammal expert, BAFTA winning cinematographer and wildlife TV presenter. Patrick has spent the last 15 years filming and working with some of our worlds most iconic ocean dwelling species and today he will be sharing some of his craziest encounters and how he became wildlife filmmaker and presenter! TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@exploretheroad?lang=en Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/exploretheroad/

39 min
09/18/2024

006 - Stories of whale encounters across the world with Patrick Dykstra - Part 1

In this episode I am talking with Patrick Dykstra, a marine mammal expert, BAFTA winning cinematographer and wildlife TV presenter. Patrick has spent the last 15 years filming and working with some of our worlds most iconic ocean dwelling species and today he will be sharing some of his craziest encounters and how he became wildlife filmmaker and presenter! TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@exploretheroad?lang=en Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/exploretheroad/

44 min

This podcast is about the people who go where most won’t. From dense jungles to open oceans, I sit down with adventurers, filmmakers, divers, composers, and explorers to talk about what draws them to the wild places of the world and the stories they bring back!

Creator

Doug Parker
Years Active

2024 - 2026
Episodes

13
Rating

Explicit
Show Website

Explore the ROAD